Chemring Group

Jessica Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his contribution of 14 May 2012, Official Report, column 275, on Defence Budget and Transformation, what the total cost overrun is incurred to date by The Chemring Group on contracts with his Department.

Peter Luff: There have been no cost overruns incurred by the Chemring Group on current contracts with the Ministry of Defence.

Defence: Cryptography

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of the delivery of the Extended Assessment Phase for Cipher.

Peter Luff: The currently approved total cost of completing the Extended Assessment Phase for CIPHER is £44 million.

Sovereignty: Scotland

Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what correspondence (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with the Scottish Government on the potential consequences of Scotland leaving the UK; and if he will place in the Library a copy of any such correspondence;
	(2)  what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with Scottish Government Ministers or officials on the potential consequences of Scotland leaving the UK.

Philip Hammond: Defence Ministers, officials and I have had no discussions with the Scottish Government on the consequences of Scotland leaving the UK. The Government's position on this is clear: Scotland is stronger as part of the UK and the UK is stronger with Scotland in it. The Government is not making plans for independence as we are confident that people in Scotland will continue to support the United Kingdom in any referendum.

Afghanistan

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Afghan counterpart on the future recruitment of women in the Afghan National Security Forces.

Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has not had recent discussions with Afghan counterparts on this specific issue but was able to discuss security challenges and the developing capability of the Afghan National Security Forces when he met the Deputy Commander of ISAF in Kabul last week. Our embassy in Kabul and the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Lashkar Gah work closely with the Afghan Government and international partners to encourage opportunities for women within the Afghan National Security Forces.

Afghanistan

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effectiveness of training which (a) has taken place and (b) is planned within the Afghan National Security Forces on the 2009 Law on the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Alistair Burt: There has been real progress in the provision of effective training since the NATO Training Mission—Afghanistan was established in 2009. The Afghan National Police receive training on gender integration, domestic violence and the prevention of violence against women. Standards of behaviour are set out in their code of conduct, including respect for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We regularly press the Afghan Government to implement its human rights commitments, including the elimination of violence against women law and the UN convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.

Ministerial Policy Advisers

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether special advisers in his Department are permitted to use non-departmental email addresses for departmental business.

David Lidington: The special advisers adhere to the Ministerial Code, the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, and the Civil Service Code which set out how Ministers, officials and special advisers should conduct Government business.
	FCO guidance stales that: Unofficial and private e-mail accounts should not routinely be used for official purposes. Such accounts may be used when there is no viable alternative, but only for unclassified material.
	This guidance applies to everyone, including special advisers.

Nepal: Tibet

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the ability of British passport holders to cross the border between Nepal and Tibet.

Jeremy Browne: The British embassy in Kathmandu recently received a report that a group of British nationals were not allowed to cross the border from Nepal into Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). The Chinese embassy in Kathmandu confirmed that those without travel permits issued from Lhasa are not allowed to cross the border.
	Foreigners wishing to travel to the TAR require the permission of the Chinese authorities. However the Chinese authorities periodically suspend issuing permits for travel to, and within, the TAR for foreign nationals, and may also restrict travel to the region by those who have already obtained a permit. This is clearly stated in our travel advice for China:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/china
	Travel agencies in China reported on 6 June that permits are not currently being granted to foreign tourists. The Chinese Government has not confirmed this.

Pensioners: Income

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average annual income of pensioner households in (a) York, (b) Yorkshire and the Humber, (c) England and (d) the UK was (i) in cash terms and (ii) at current prices in each year since 1992.

Steve Webb: Estimates of pensioner incomes are published in the Pensioners' Incomes Series. The latest information is available on the Department's website at
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page-pensioners_income
	These statistics provide a breakdown of the income levels of pensioners at a regional level.
	Three-year averages are used to report regional statistics as single-year estimates are subject to volatility.
	(a) It is not possible to provide the information at this geographical level.
	Table 1 shows the gross annual mean income in (i) cash terms, for pensioner couples and single pensioners in (b) Yorkshire and the Humber, (c) England and (d) the UK, for three year periods spanning 1994-95 to 2009-10, which is the latest year for which figures are available.
	Table 2 shows the gross annual mean income in (ii) 2009-10 prices, for pensioner couples and single pensioners in (b) Yorkshire and the Humber, (c) England and (d)the UK, for three year periods spanning 1994-95 to 2009-10, which is the latest year for which figures are available.
	These statistics are based on Pensioners' Income Series (PI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS) which started in 1994-95, so it has not been possibly to provide figures prior to 1994-95.
	Data for the UK is not available in the PI series prior to 2002-03.
	In each case, incomes have been rounded to the nearest £100.
	
		
			 Table 1: Gross annual mean incomes in (i) cash terms 
			 Incomes in £ per year, in cash terms 
			  Pensioner couples Single pensioners 
			  (b) Yorkshire  and t he Humber (c) England (d) UK (b) Yorkshire and t he Humber (c) England (d) UK 
			 1994-95 to 1996-97 12,600 15,200 — 6,700 7,200 — 
			 1995-96 to 1997-98 14,100 16,000 — 7,000 7,500 — 
			 1996-97 to 1998-99 15,600 17,200 — 7,300 8,000 — 
			 1997-98 to 1999-2000 16,900 18,100 — 8,000 8,500 — 
			 1998-99 to 2000-01 17,100 19,200 — 8,800 9,100 — 
			 1999-2000 to 2001-02 18,100 20,200 — 9,300 9,600 — 
			 2000-01 to 2002-03 18,700 21,100 — 9,700 10,100 — 
			 2001-02 to 2003-04 20,800 22,300 — 10,000 10,500 — 
			 2002-03 to 2004-05 21,000 23,400 23,000 10,600 11,100 11,000 
			 2003-04 to 2005-06 22,300 24,800 24,400 11,000 11,800 11,600 
			 2004-05 to 2006-07 21,900 25,900 25,500 11,500 12,500 12,300 
			 2005-06 to 2007-08 23,300 27,200 26,800 12,100 13,100 12,900 
			 2006-07 to 2008-09 24;200 28,600 28,100 12,700 13,700 13,600 
			 2007-08 to 2009-10 25,500 30,100 29,900 12,900 14,300 14,200 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: Gross annual mean incomes in (ii) 2009-10 prices 
			 Incomes in £ per year, in 2009-10 prices 
			  Pensioner couples Single pensioners 
			  (b) Yorkshire and the Humber (c) England (d) UK (b) Yorkshire and the Humber England (d) UK 
			 1994-95 to 1996-97 17,800 21,500 — 9,600 10,200 — 
			 1995-96 to 1997-98 19,400 22,100 — 9,700 10,400 — 
			 1996-97 to 1998-99 20,900 23,100 — 9,800 10,700 — 
			 1997-98 to 1999-2000 22,100 23,600 — 10,400 11,100 — 
			 1998-99 to 2000-01 21,800 24,400 — 11,300 11,700 — 
			 1999-2000 to 2001-02 22,600 25,300 — 11,600 12,000 — 
			 2000-01 to 2002-03 22,900 25,900 — 11,900 12,300 — 
			 2001-02 to 2003-04 25,100 26,800 — 12,100 12,600 — 
			 2002-03 to 2004-05 24,700 27,500 27,000 12,500 13,000 12,900 
			 2003-04 to 2005-06 25,600 28,500 27,900 12,600 13,500 13,300 
		
	
	
		
			 2004-05 to 2006-07 24,300 28,700 28,300 12,800 13,900 13,700 
			 2005-06 to 2007-08 25,000 29,200 28,800 13,000 14,000 13,800 
			 2006-07 to 2008-09 25,000 29,600 29,200 13,200 14,200 14,100 
			 2007-08 to 2009-10 25,800 30,400 30,200 13,000 14,500 14,400 
			 Notes: 1. Mean incomes have been presented in line with the Pensioners' Incomes series publication. 2. Gross incomes have been used to answer the question. This includes earnings from employment and self-employment, state support, income from occupational and private pensions, investment income and other sources. 3. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to a degree of uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. 4. Incomes have not been equivalised (ie they have not been adjusted for household size or composition). 5. Annual incomes have been rounded to the nearest £100. 6. It was announced in May that the 2009-10 results will be revised when the 2010-11 results are published on 12 July 2012. See the DWP PI website for further information. Source: Pensioners' Incomes Series 2009-10

Guy's and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust: Pharmacy

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take in the event that the consultation on the proposal to privatise pharmacy services in the Gus and St Thomas' Foundation Trust is opposed by the public.

Paul Burstow: This is a matter for the trust, its board of directors and governors to determine. However, we are advised that the trust is only proposing to outsource its out-patient dispensing and distribution of drugs to patients at home and that it has no plans to change the in-patient or pharmacy manufacturing services. As this represents a change of provider and not a change to services, there is no requirement for public consultation. We understand that the small number of staff potentially affected by the change will be consulted.

Regulation

Gordon Banks: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how many regulations her Department has repealed between 1 February and 31 May 2012; and if she will estimate the potential savings to those affected in each case.

Lynne Featherstone: As of 1 April 2011, the Government Equalities Office has been part of the Home Office and is no longer a separate Government Department. The information requested will be provided by the Minister for Immigration, my hon. Friend the Member for Ashford (Damian Green), in response to the hon. Member’s question to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May).

Cars: Insurance

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions she has had on the use of spy technology in the car to track drivers and reduce insurance costs.

Michael Penning: The Secretary of State has not had any discussions on the use of “spy” technology in cars.
	On 2 May the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening) hosted a cross-Government summit with the insurance industry on measures to reduce the cost of premiums.
	One measure, especially for young drivers, which the insurance industry is introducing, is the use of telematics or “smartbox” technology which monitors driving behaviour, giving drivers the opportunity to reduce car insurance premiums by driving safely and responsibly. Such technology is used with the full knowledge and consent of the person insuring the vehicle.

Motor Vehicles: Insurance

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average cost of car insurance was in each of the last five years.

Michael Penning: The average cost of car motor insurance premiums for each of the last five years can be considered in two different ways. Data from the AA's “shoparound” survey shows the average development in quotes for annual comprehensive car insurance policies. Data from the ABI shows the average premium actually paid, based on a sample of insurance companies.
	
		
			 £ 
			 Source 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 
			 Automobile Association (AA) (October 2011) 463 503 569 792 921 
			 Association of British Insurers (ABI) (annual data) 352 348 340 390 (1)— 
			 (1 )Not yet available. Note: The AA figures do not fully take into account the price of the policy finally agreed; and renewals of existing policies may be cheaper than quotes for new policies.

Developing Countries: Human Rights

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development who he intends to consult in preparing human rights assessments in conjunction with annual reviews of his Department's country operations plans; if he will consult national and international human rights organisations in the preparation of such assessments; and what discussions he plans to have with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on the participation of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the preparation of such assessments.

Alan Duncan: DFID country offices are encouraged to draw on a range of sources in preparing human rights assessments as part of their annual review of country operational plans. This includes drawing on existing analysis and data, from national governments as well as local and international human rights organisations.
	DFID human rights assessments are being prepared in close collaboration with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), in particular in the countries that are of particular concern to the UK Government.

Developing Countries: Human Rights

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when human rights assessments prepared in conjunction with annual reviews of his Department's country operational plans will be published; and whether such assessments will be discussed with the Government of each country.

Alan Duncan: All DFID country offices have been required to draw up human rights assessments as part of their annual review of country, operational plans. These assessments will be published by September 2012.
	We expect some DFID country offices to consult and share their assessments with the governments, and other key actors, prior to publication, although it is for country offices to use their discretion on how they handle the process.

Pakistan

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will take steps to ensure that aid to the government of Pakistan is used to support development projects and cannot be used to support terrorist activities.

Andrew Mitchell: All UK aid to the Government of Pakistan is earmarked to deliver specific outcomes to help the poorest and most vulnerable people and is subject to numerous safeguards. The Department for International Development (DFID) has put in place rigorous monitoring, verification and fiduciary risk assessments, including through independent verification. These systems help to ensure that UK aid reaches its intended recipients, secures value for money and delivers tangible results.